OBU’s annual International Food Fest set for Feb. 16

Ouachita Baptist University’s International Club along with the Daniel and Betty Jo Grant Center for International Education will host the International Food Festival on Feb. 16 at 6 p.m. in Ouachita’s Walker Conference Center.

The International Food Fest is an opportunity for students and faculty to come together and learn about the different cultures at Ouachita. “We pretty much have food from all around the world that is prepared by students, faculty or other Ouachita affiliates,” said International Club President Willy Rasilim, a senior accounting and business administration/finance major from Tangerang, Indonesia.

The theme for the festival is “Crossing Borders,” and the food has been organized by continents. “This is to create the feeling that we are actually traveling to different continents to try their food,” Rasilim said.

The festival will include entertainment from “many talented international students,” said Sharon Cosh, English as a Second Language coordinator and chairperson for the event. “And then, Dr. Ryan Lewis, our own OBU assistant professor of percussion will be demonstrating percussion and rhythms from around the world on a variety of unique instruments.”

The cost is $5 per person at the door and the money raised will go toward paying for the event itself. “This is not a fundraising event,” said Ian Cosh, assistant to the president for community development, director of the Ben M. Elrod Center for Family and Community and director of the Grant Center. “The money we raise goes toward covering cost of putting on the event and purchasing the food supplies for the students who cook.

“We welcome members of the community to join in this celebration of Ouachita’s global commitment to diversity,” Cosh added. “It is an occasion to enjoy good food, friendship and an entertaining cultural program. The festival provides an occasion to highlight the fact that we have a strong international education emphasis at Ouachita that provides cultural and academic enrichment for the entire community.”

For more information about the Food Fest, the Grant Center or the International Club, contact the Grant Center at (870) 245-5197.